Metal wall panel assembly



March 27, 1956 G. G. GREULlcH METAL WALL PANEL ASSEMBLY 6er-aid r'eulatk.

A@ grava March 27, 1956 G. G. GREULICH METAL wALL PANEL ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 26, 1954 $15 j gf fafa/ggf.

METAL WALL PANEL ASSEMBLY Application August 26, 1954, Serial No. 452,376

13 Claims. (Cl. 189--86) The present invention relates to a metal wall construction and more particularly to a novel means and manner of mounting and joining metal wall panels or units in interlocking engagement to provide a permanent cellular wall assembly. Metal wall panelling of the present construction permits rapid and simple installation whereby to effect substantial savings in cost, time and labor required in erection.

Among the important objects of the present invention is to provide a novel insulated wall surfacing comprising metal panels or units that may be quickly and conveniently assembled, and more particularly to a novel means and manner of joining the abutting edges or ends of such panels or units in interlocking engagement.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel wall assembly formed of cellular metal panels or units having their edges or ends so constructed and arranged as to interengage when assembled to provide an interlocking joint for connecting and retaining these wall panels or units in assembled relation. In the novel embodiment, the interlocking anged edges of the panels or units are so contoured as to tensionally grip and securely retain the panels or units in assembled relation under thermal changes and resulting contraction and expansion.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a novel interlocking Wall assembly in which each succeeding wall panel or unit is securely interlocked with a preceding or previously mounted wall panel or unit. Such wall panels or units may be iluted or ribbed on their exterior or made ush with the space between the inner and outer wall units or plates substantially iilled with insulation to form an insulated Wall structure in which through metal to metal contact between the inner and outer wall units is reduced to a minimum.

Another object of the present invention is the pro- Vvision of novel prefabricated cellular wall panels or units adapted to be adjustably mounted upon the exterior of a structural steel frame or other supporting structure of a building or enclosure to provide an insulated siding structure in which the adjoining panels or units have interengaging lips or flanges that permit successive panels or units to be readily and easily installed or assembled and tensionally retained in interlocking engagement.

ln the disclosed embodiment, the novel panels or units may be factory or shop assembled, or they may be assembled in the eld with each inner wall unit or plate when assembled being anchored as by welding or otherwise rigidly secured to the supporting framework of the building, after which the insulation is added and held in place by means of thin metal strips or formed members which are secured crosswise to the faces of the outermost surfaces of the inner Wall units or plates, and then the exterior plate or wall unit is assembled and interlocked and attached with screws or bolts to crosswise members, previously secured to the inner wall units, to complete the panel.

The edges of the panels or wall units to be joined are so contoured that in assembling successive panels or units, the leading edge, tlange or male end of the outer and inner walls or plates of a preceding panel or unit that has been anchored to the framework projects outwardly and is adapted to be received in the female or channelled, adjoining end of a succeeding panel or unit to be attached. With this leading edge, flange or male end of the preceding or anchored panel or unit received in the female end of the succeeding panel or unit and the latter cocked at an angle or held parallel to the preceding panel or unit and then rotated and moved or forced and wedged into registry or vertical alignment with the preceding panel er unit to provide a continuous wall surface, the interengaging surfaces on the leading edges or male and female ends of the adjoining panels or units are cammed or wedged into interlocking engagement whereby they are tensionally gripped and securely retained in assembled relation but with suflicient flexibility to allow for thermal expansion and contraction of the parts. ln this assembled relation, the leading edge or flange of the preceding panel or unit that has been anchored or secured in position interlocks with and tensionally retains the adjoining edge or ilange of the succeeding or following panel or unit assembled and anchored thereto.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a joint between adjacent wall units that is water and air tight without having parallel surfaces of the interlocking edge members in Contact to provide a path for capillary movement of water. The hooked or angular members form point or line contacts only and the tension between adjacent members forms a tight joint to prevent the free passage of water or air. The arrangement of the interlocking edge members is such that the edges of the male members are shoved into the caulking compound previously applied in the inside corners of the female members. This provides a further tight resilient seal against the passage of water or air.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, eiciency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a fragmentary view in perspective of a portion of an insulated wall in which the adjacent metal panels or wall units are joined in interlocking engagement in accordance with the present invention and in which the outer or exposed face of the exterior panels are of ribbed contour.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary View in horizontal cross section through the assembled wall construction of Fig. l, the view being taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2 but showing the manner of assembling the wall panels with the anged edges ot' adjacent panels being moved into interlocking engage.- rnent for tensionally retaining the panels.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary View in horizontal cross section through a double wall panel or unit in which the exterior wall surfaces are ush when assembled, and showing the novel means and manner of joining these wall panels or units by an interlocking arrangement in which the outer and inner wall panels or units are of similar construction.

Fig, 5 is a view in horizontal cross section of the, assembly of Fig. 4 showing the entry position of the next succeeding panel or unit when adjoining panels or units are being assembled, after which this entering panel or units is forced and wedged into the aligned position shown in Fig. 4 with the adjoining panels or units tensionally held in interlocking engagement.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary View in horizontal cross section of another embodiment of the present invention of joint interlock.

Fig. 7 is a View similar to Fig. 6 but of a modified embodiment of joint interlock.

Fig. 8 is `a fragmentary view in horizontal cross section of another embodiment of joint interlock for retaining double wall panels or units.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view in vertical cross section taken in a plane represented by the line 9 9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. l is a fragmentary view in horizontal crosssec tion through .the assembly of Figs. 1, 2 and 3, but showing the addition of metal strips or crosswise members when the panels are assembled and erected in the field.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view in horizontal cross s ection through the embodiment of joint interlock shown in Figs. 8 and 10, but with Z separators substituted for the Wood strips.

Referring more particularly to the disclosure to the disclosure in the drawings and to the novel illustrative embodiments of the present invention, Figs. l, 2 and 3 disclose a wall assembly comprising inner wall units or plates and outer wall units or plates 11 adapted to form a cellular wall surfacing adapted to receive suitable insulation 12, and in which the male end or leading edge of each unit or plate 10 and 11 comprises an outwardly and laterally formed or bent and longitudinally extending flange or lip 13 and the female or trailing end of each unit comprises an outwardly projecting and longitudinally extending rib or ute 14 having spaced sides 115 vand 41'6 Vwith the latter having its extremity flared out- Wardly `by bending at 31 and also with this trailing edge or side 16 bent or formed rearwardly and inwardly to Aprovide a longitudinally extending and inwardly open- -ing tapering channel 17 adapted to receive the flange -or lip 13 of lthe preceding or adjoining panel or unit 10.

When the units are shop or factory assembled to form the lcomplete panels designated by the reference numeral -18 (see `Fig. 3), the'inner and outer platesor Wall units 110 and 11 'are -joined by Z separators 19 which are shown as transversely arranged and longitudinally spaced apart, the cellular wall structure so constructed receiving the yinsulation v12 which may be in the 'form of blocks or the rli-keof :libre glass, rock wool, mineral wool, etc. These separators may be .provided with longitudinally spaced -openings ythrough the connecting web. The inner flange or leg 21 of each Z separator is preferably spot welded at to the inner wall unit or plate -10 and the outer .-.wall unit or plate l11 is preferably rigidly secured to the vouter flangevor leg 22 ofthe Z separators '19 by bolts,

Iscrews-or other attaching Vmeans 23 where exposed fastening means is permissible. An insulating strip`24 is prefterablyfanchored between the leg 22 and the outer wall unit or plate 11 to insulate these Z separators from the yinterior wall unit or plate v10-.to thereby prevent frost :spots from forming at the interior of the wall panels r18.

These assembledor prefabricated wall panels or units are successively aixed or secured to the main girts or horizontal or vertical supports onthe framework of the buildingto be surfaced as by suitably attaching or anchoring each inner-wall unit or plate :10 of a panel 18 tothe supporting structure or main girts of the building. Although the panels or units are shown placed horizontally Lonvertical supports, they may be placed vertically on horizontal supports. As shown in Fig. 3, the first or right-handpanel of the wall surfacing 18 is anchored tothe ,girts or supporting structure, after which each succeeding panel 18 is joined to the precedingpanel-by directing the longitudinally extending leading edge or male fiange-13 of the inner and outer Wall units or plates 10,and 1'1 into the open end of each channel 17 ofthe inner and outer wallvunits or platesfl() and 11 of the next or-succeeding panel 18.

In this novel manner of assembling the Aprefabricated panels 18, after the leading edges 1131ofv a preceding-,panel have been entered in the channels 17 of the next or succeeding panel to be joined, the latter is so cocked or angled as to cause the leading edges or anges 13 to be completely inserted into the open end of the channel 17. With this succeeding panel 18 cocked or disposed at a substantial angle with respect to the preceding panel and rotating this succeeding panel to align it with the preceding panel, causes the trailing end of the succeeding panel to be rotated along an axis substantially parallel to the leading edges or flanges 13 vof lthe preceding panel. As the interengaging ends or edges of the adjoining panels are so joined, the leading edges or anges 13 of the preceding panel 18 are flexed or pivoted suiiiciently to cause them to jam or wedge tight the engagement between the contacting surfaces at A and B of these leading edges or flanges 13 of the preceding panel with the spaced sides or legs 15 and 16 of the succeeding panel, whereby these k'adjoining panels are Ytensionally joined and held in interlocking engagement. This succeeding panel is then anchored Ito vthe girts lor framework of the building after which additional panels are applied in .a similar manner.

When held assembled, an inner wall unit or plate 10 is rst anchored ,in pOSition `upon the main girts or supporting structure, and after its leading edge or male'e'nd has been repeived inthe channel 17 o f the female end of a sncceedi-ng inner wall Vunit orpplate 10, the latter is cocked or disposed atan angle to such preceding unit so that when the succeeding unit isrnoyed or rotated about the leading edge `or flange 13 of the preceding unit to its assembled position, the inter-engaging male andfemale ends of these adjoining units vare Acar'nmed into interlocking engagement Iand tensionallyVgrippedvandlocked together. In Athis position, slight rotation of the leading edge or lip 13 jams or wedges tight the engagement between the contacting surfaces of 4the 'leading edge or lip 13 and the inwardly `opening, tapered lchannel A1'7 at lthe end of the adjoining inner wall unit o r plate 10, at Ithe points A and B, with the end of the Yleading edge or 13 of each inner wall unit or :plate '10 `being embedded in a caulking composition 2,5 in the channel "17 to effectively seal the interlocking parts. In addition to forming a tight sealing engagement in which the parts are `tenszionally gripped and retained under tension, the contacting surfaces are 4so ,arranged Aas to reduce llat metal to metal contact and eliminate capillary action.

The inner flange `orlegfflfl of each of the transversely arranged but longitudinally spaced Z separators 19 is welded at `-20-to each inner wall unit or plate 10 prior to or during erection or assembly of these wall .units or -plates, the `insulation 12 is installed and the outer wall Yunits ror plates '1'1 are assembled in ja manner .similar to the inner -wall units or 'plates 10. These outer wall units orpla'tesjll are then anchored to the outer flange or leg 22 ofthe -'Z separators by'bolts, screws or other attaching -means 23.

VIna prefeired method Where assembly is concurrent .with erection inthe-*field the inner plates 10 are erected `as-previously described. Then transversemet-al strips or `crosswisemem-bers19a, asshown injFig. 10, are attached `as by -weldingeorothersuitable securing means to the outerIfacesoffthetchannels-17. These servevas retainers for/the insulation untilv theouter members 11 are installed `as previously described `and -arefastened to the cross'wise members 19fby bolts, Vscrews or other attaching means -23 .at points Abetween the taperedchannels 17.

.iFigs. -4 and=5-sl1ow an .alternate embodiment innwhich the-successiveprefabricated-wall'panels*26 are so formed .as.to.provide=iiush or 'at inner and outer wall surfaces. -The inner and-outerlwallnunits or plates i27 and28 are of .similar orLidentical-construction with the inner wall unit Nor: rplate f27..being. contoured similarA to the inner wall Vunit or plate 10. shown in' Figs. 1, 2..andg3,r.withthe-end orlip ofheblegu ofathe..trailing-endv or: female member also being bent or flared at 31. Thus itincludes -a'rleading edge having an outwardly and laterally formed or bent ange 32 providing a male end and the trailing edge or female end having a side 33 and the laterally spaced leg 29 formed or bent rearwardly and slanted inwardly toward the side 33 to provide a channel 34 opening inwardly and adapted to receive the male end or leading edge of a preceding inner wall unit or plate.

The outer wall unit or plate 28, unlike the outer wall unit or plate l1 shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, has its trailing edge formed to provide a flange or male end 35 turned inwardly and slanted rearwardly and its leading or female end also turned inwardly to provide a side 36 and a spaced leg or flange 37, the leg or flange 37 being slanted with respect to the side 36 to provide an outwardly opening channel 3S, and the end 39 of the leg or flange 37 being bent to facilitate entry of the trailing edge or male end 35 of the outer wall unit or plate 28 of a succeeding or adjoining panel 26.

By this construction and arrangement of the inner and outer wall units or plates 27 and 284, there is provided a double wall panel assembly 26 with an inner wall unit or plate 27 having an inwardly opening channel 34 in its trailing edge and adjacent thereto its leg 29 and the adja cent trailing edge or ange 35 of the outer Wall surface or plate 2S providing an adjoining inwardly opening channel 4i. Likewise, there is provided an outwardly opening channel 42 formed by the trailing edge or male end 32. of an inner wall unit or plate 27 and the adjacent leg 37 of the leading or female end of an outer wall unit or plate 28 adjoining its channel 38. Thus each assembled panel 26 is provided at its leading edge with spaced legs or flanges 32 and 37 adapted to interlock with spaced legs or flanges 29 and 35 on the trailing edge of an adjoining or succeeding panel.

Fig. 4 shows the trailing and leading edges or ends of the adjoining panels 26 joined in interlocking engagement, while Fig. 5 shows the trailing edge or en-d of the succeeding panel 26 about to enter the leading edge or end of the preceding panel 26 that has been anchored to the girts or framework of the building. After the adjoining ends of the panels 26 have been entered as shown in Fig. 5, it is obvious that the legs 32 and 35 will interface with ythe inner edges of the openings of channels 34 and 38, when the succeeding panel is forced into final position. During the forcing, the legs 32 and 35 are bent slightly and interengage the corners of channels 34 and 3S and the opposite flanges 29 and 37, respectively, of the channels, and the interengaging legs or flanges 32 and 37 on the preceding and anchored panel 26 completely enter the channels 34 and 41, respectively. After seating the succeeding panel to the position shown in Fig. 4 in which the adjoining panels are flush, the flanges or legs`29, 32, 35 and 37 are wedged into tight interlocking engagement with the end of the legs 32 and 35 embedded in the mass of caulking composition 43 in the base of the channels 34 and 38. When so assembled, the interlocking ends of the adjoining panels are tensionally held in rigid assembly and jammed or wedged tight between the contacting surfaces at C and D, but permitting necessary contraction and expansion.

A sheet or strip 44 of insulation material which may be l of cork, felt, asphalt or the like, is preferably inserted lbetween the adjoining surfaces of the inner and outer wall units or plates 27 and 28 of each assembled panel 26.

Figs. 6 and 7 show further embodiments of the novel means and manner of joining and tensionally retaining in interlocking engagement adjoining panels for providing a wall surfacing. ln Fig. 6, the adjoining panels comprise similar outer wall units or plates 45 each provided with a trailing edge having a male end in the form of an inwardly projecting leg or flange 46 that is bent or formed at an inclination or slant and adapted to be received in a channel 47 formed in the female end or leading edge of an adjacent or preceding panel 45, the channel 47 opening outwardly and formed or defined by an inturned end or side 48 and a spaced outwardly projecting leg 49 that is inclined or slanted inwardly to narrow the opening of the channel 47. The end or lip 51 of this leg 49 is bent or ated to direct and facilitate entry of the male end, leg or flange 46.

The bottom or base S2 of the channel is aiiXed to a metal sheet or base plate S3 by means of suitably spaced oval-headed steel or metal studs 54 with the end of the shank of each stud being welded or otherwise aflixed or anchored to the sheet or baseplate 53. An insulating collar or bushing 55 of hard bre or the like encompasses the stud which is provided with an oval or rectangular shaped top portion or head at least 50% larger than the lower shank. This collar lies between the head of the stud and the opening in the bottom or base 52 of the channel and into an aligned opening in a strip of insulation S6 whereby to effectively insulate the wall panel from the supporting structure upon which the base plate or sheet 53 is supported.

This provides an external ush assembly with the adjoining ends of adjacent panels assembled in the same manner as outlined above with each succeeding panel 4S having its leg or ange 46 inserted into the channel 47 of a preceding panel that has been anchored to the sheet or base plate 53. Then upon disposing the succeeding panel parallel with respect to the preceding, fored panel with the male end, leg or flange 46 partially inserted into the channel 47, forcing and seating the succeeding panel into alignment or ush with the adjoining, fixed panel 45, causes a jamming and wedging action between the contacting surfaces at E and F with the end of the leg or tlange 46 embedded in the caulking composition 57.

Where projecting fastenings are permissible, the wall units or plates 45 of Fig. 6 may be reversed and mounted at the interior of the cellular wall assembly with the metal sheet S3 providing the outer wall or exterior wall surface (Fig. 7). In this embodiment the sheet 53 is joined to the bottom or base 52 of the channel 47 by suitably spaced attaching means, such as screws, bolts or the like 5S. A flanged collar or bushing 59 of hard iibre or other suitable insulating material passing through the separating and insulating strip 56, effectively insulates the outer wall or metal sheet 53 from the panels 45. In this form, the male end, flange or leg 46 is disposed at the leading edge and the channel 47 formed on the trailing edge of successive panels 45.

Figs. 8 and 9 disclose a double wall panel assembly similar in many respects to the embodiment shown in Figs. 4 and 5. ln this embodiment, each wall panel 61 comprises an inner wall unit or plate 62 having a leading edge provided with an outwardly projecting male end, leg or flange 63 and at its trailing edge is provided with an inwardly opening channel 64 dened by an outwardly projecting side 65 and a spaced rearwardly projecting leg or flange 66 slanted inwardly or inclined and at its free end 67 bent or curved outwardly to facilitate entry of and direct the outwardly projecting male end,` flange or leg 63 on the preceding wall unit or plate 62. mounted in iiXed position.

Each outer wall unit or plate 68 is provided with a trailing edge comprising a rearwardly projecting and slanted or inclined male end, ange or leg 69 and at its other or leading edge is formed or provided with an out` wardly opening channel 7l defined by a side or wall 72 and an outwardly and laterally projecting, inclined or slanted flange or leg 73 spaced from the side or wall 72 and having its free end 74 bent or curved to direct and facilitate entry of the male end, flange or leg 69 on the trailing end of the adjacent or succeeding wall unit or plate 68.

Unlike the structure shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the male and female ends of the inner and outer wal1`units or plates 62 and 68 of the embodiment shown in Figs. 8 and 9, are of substantially less depth than the depth of the panels 61. The base 75 of each channel 64 and 71 avances is spaced from the wall units or plates 62 and 6 8 by relatively thick insulators 76 preferably formed of wood strips, such as ash, birch, beech, white oak or moistureproof plywood treated with ammonium-.chloride or the like, with the base 75 of each channel aixed thereto at suitably spaced distances alternately by means of screws 77 and the Wall units or plates 62 and 65 aixed thereto by rneans of welded studs or rivets 78, arranged in offset or staggered relation. As disclosed, the heads of the rivets 78 are preferably mounted in counterbores 79. When assembled, the male ends, legs or lianges 63 and 6,9 have interlocking engagement and substantially line contact with the leg 6 6 and side 65 of the channel 64, and the les 73. and side 72 of the channel 71, respectively, in the manner disclosed above with respect to the embodiment of Figs. 4 and 5.

Fig` ll discloses the use of Z separators Sl in place of the wood strips 76 of Figs. 8 and 9. These Z separators are of the same height as the wood strips with one leg S2 extending toward the center of the panel and spot welded rather than riveted to the plates 62 and 68. The other leg 3 3 is located directly beneath the bottoms of the channels 64 and '71 with an insulation strip 84 between the leg 83 and the superimposed channel base 75. Each channel base 75 is fastened to the leg 83 by means of screws 77.

In each form of the present invention, the panels may be Prefabricated or shop assembled, or they may be assembled in the iield or in situ, with the interengaging or interlocking parts on the adjacent leading and trailing edges inserted in the manner disclosed, after which the succeeding panel or wall unit or plate is cocked and moved or rotated, or forced and seated, into assembled, aligned relation with the preceding panel, wall unit or plate after the latter has been anchored to the framework of the building. Such rotation or forcing and seating jams or wedges the parts together to provide a tight interlocking engagement between the flange at one end of a panel, wall unit or plate and the sides of the channel at the adjacent end of an adjoining panel, wall unit or plate and the sides of the channel at the adjacent end of plate whereby the adjoining panels, wall units or plates are firmly yet tensionally retained under all conditions of thermal contraction and expansion by narrow line or point contacts between the ange and the sides of the channel, the flange in such locking position being in each instance disposed diagonally across the channel to assure contact and interlocking engagement at the points specilied, and thus avoiding contact between broad lat surfaces and the attendant paths for capillary moisture or thin crevices for its retention.

Although insulation has not been shown in some of the views, it is to be understood that such insulation is generally included or provided in the panels. Also it is contemplated to employ the Z separators wherever required or desired, such separators being disposed in suitable spaced relation.

The preformed or prefabricated metal wall panels, as well as the field assembled wall units or plates, which when assembled form a cellular wall, may be of any desired length and width suitable for convenient handling and assembly. As one example but not as limiting the present invention, the panels may be formed in narrow widths of approximately twelve inches or in wider widths of approximately twenty-four inches.

Having thus` disclosed the invention, I claim:

l. ln a metal wall panel assembly, adjoining wall panels comprising multiple wall units of similar, hollow construction adapted to receive therein insulation material, one edge of each unit having a. projection and the other edge having a channel part including a leg forming one` side o f said channel with said channel of one unit receivingtherein the proiection on an adjacent, unit, said projection and said leg:i of' said channelv being inclined in s uehi manner that when the projection of one unit is received in the channel of an adjacent unit with one unit xed and the other unit joined theretok is rotated relative to the fixed unit into alignment therewith, said projection extends diagonally across the channel and at spaced points ,a

along its length engages the opposite sides of the channel and jams thereagainst whereby the projection is lockedv and tensionally held between the leg and spaced side of the channel.

2. A wall surfacing of interlocking wall units for snrfacing the exterior or partitioning the interior of a building and means for joining the edges of said units, including similar metal plates each having a laterally pro7 jecting and inclined flange at one edge and a channelled projection at the other edge with the flange of one plate received in the channel of an adjacent plate and interlocked with the spaced sides of the channel, one side of said channel providing a leg having one end free and said, leg being inclined toward the other side to provide a channel narrowing in width toward its open end, the sides of said channel being spaced apart suflicient to freely receive the inclined flange on the adjacent end of an adjoining plate, one of said plates being anchored to. the building and the other plate being free but moved intoA interlocking engagement with the iixed plate and anone edge and an inwardly opening channel at the otherl edge receiving the ange of an adjacent unit, said channel being defined by spaced walls the end of one of which is, free and with this free end inturned toward the otherof said walls to provide a tapered channel therebetween, said inturned flange when wholly received within the channel of a unit joined thereto and this latter unit is disposed at an angle to the other unit which is mounted in tixed position, rotating the latter unit to its ultimate position. in alignment with the lixed unit, locks the llange in the channel.

4. In a metal wall panel assembly providing an insulated siding for the exterior or partitions for the in terior of a building, similar metal wall panels having their adjoining edges interlocked, and means for interlocking the adjoining edges comprising an inclined leg on one edge and a channel on the other edge of each panel, one wall of said channel and the leg, of an adjoining panel being free and inclined toward the other wall whereby the leg of one panel received in said channel of an adjoining panel is positioned diagonally across the channel. with one end tightly abutting and interlocked with the f ree wall adjacent the base of the channel and with its other end4 tightly abutting. and interlocked withy the other wall of the channel adjacent the open end of the channel.

5. In a met-al wall panel assembly, adjoining wall panels comprising multiple wal-l. units of similar construction with one edge of each unit having a projection inc'linedv inwardly at an acute angle with. the plane of saidv vunit andthe other edge having a channel receiving therein moved into alignment with the fixed unit, the projectionis jammed into wedging engagement with the sides of the channel at spaced points and the adjoining units so` 6, Ametal wall panel assembly and; means. for. joining the longitudinal edges of adjoining wall units, comprising multiple wall units of similar construction and each having a wall surface and a longitudinally extending flange at one edge projecting inwardly and inclined at an acute angle from the wall surface and at the other edge provided with a channel projecting from the wall surface, the flange at one edge of the unit being received between the spaced sides in the channel of an adjoining unit, said flange when received in the channel and the units are joined together having interlocking engagement at spaced points with the opposite sides of the channel.

7. An insulated metal wall for the exterior or interior of a building, comprising multiple wall units each having a wall surface and longitudinally extending interlocking edges including a laterally and inwardly projecting inclined flange at one edge extending at an acute angle inwardly from the wall surface and a channelled part at the other edge receiving the flange of an adjoining unit, said flange when received in the channelled part of an adjoining unit with one of said units anchored and the other rotated into alignment with the anchored unit extending diagonally in the channel and wedging between the opposite sides of the channel.

8. A wall surfacing comprising multiple wall units of similar construction and means for joining and tensionally retaining adjoining edges of said units in interlocking engagement, each unit having a laterally projecting leg at one edge projecting at an acute angle from the body of the unit and a laterally projecting channelled part at the other edge, said channelled part having spaced sides with one side inclined toward the other and the channel receiving the leg of an adjoining unit, said leg when disposed in the channel and the units moved into aligned position projecting diagonally across the channel with its ends wedged against the opposite sides of the channeled part to thereby interlock and join adjacent units.

9. In a metal wall panel assembly providing a surfacing for the exterior or forming the interior partitions of a building, metal wall panels including interlocking wall units of similar construction each having a wall surface, an inturned flange at one edge disposed at an acute angle with the wall surface and an inwardly opening channel at the other edge receiving the flange of an adjacent unit, said channel being defined by spaced walls the end of one of which is free and with this free end inturned toward the other of said walls and disposed at an acute angle to provide a tapered channel therebetween, said inturned flange when received within the channel of an adjacent unit and this latter unit is disposed at an angle to the other unit which is mounted in fixed position, rotating the adjacent unit to its ultimate position in alignment With the xed unit, locks the ange in the channel.

l0. ln a metal wall panel assembly providing a surfacing for the exterior or forming the interior partitions of a building, metal wall panels including interlocking wall units of similar construction each having a wall surface, an inturned flange at one edge disposed at an acute angle with the wall surface and an inwardly opening channel at the other edge receiving the ange of an adjacent unit, said channel being defined by spaced walls the end of one of which is free and with this free end inturned toward the other of said walls and disposed at an acute angle to provide a tapered channel therebetween, said inturned flange when received within the adjacent unit projecting diagonally across said channel whereby its ends engage and are tensionally locked to the spaced walls of the channel for retaining adjoining units in interlocked relation.

ll. ln a metal wall panel assembly, adjoining wall panels comprising multiple wall units of similar, hollow construction adapted to receive therein insulation material, one edge of each unit having a projection and the other edge having a channel part including a leg forming one side of said channel with said channel of one unit receiving therein the projection on an adjacent unit, said projection and said leg of said channel being inclined inwardly at an acute angle so that when the projection of one unit is partially inserted and received in the channel of an adjacent unit with one unit fixed and the adjacent unit is forced and slid relative to the xed unit into alignment therewith, said projection extends diagonally across the channel and at spaced points along its length engages the opposite sides of the channel and jams thereagainst whereby the projection is locked and tensionally held between the leg and spaced side of the channel.

l2. A wall surfacing of interlocking wall units' for surfacing the exterior or partitioning the interior of a building and means for joining the edges of said units, including similar metal plates each'having a laterally projecting and inclined flange at one edge and a channelled projection at the other edge with the flange of one plate received in the channel of an adjacent plate and interlocked with the spaced sides of the channel, one side of said channel providing a leg having one end free and said leg being inclined toward the other side to provide a channel narrowing in Width toward its open end, the sides of said channel being spaced apart sutiicient to partially receive the inclined flange on the adjacent end of an adjoining plate, one of said plates being anchored to the building and the other plate being free but moved into interlocking engagement with the fixed plate and anchored to the building, whereby when said flange is partially received in the channel and the free plate is parallel to the xed plate and forced and slid into alignment with the fixed plate, said flange is jammed into the channel and interlocks with the sides of the channel of the other plate.

13. ln a metal wall panel assembly providing a surfacing for the exterior or partitioning the interior of a building, metal wall panels including interlocking wall units of similar construction each having an inturned ange at one edge and an inwardly opening channel at the other edge receiving the ange of an adjacent unit, said channel being dened by spaced walls the end of one of which is free and with this free end inturned toward the other of said walls to provide a tapered channel therebetween, said inturned flange when partially received within the channel of an adjacent unit and this latter unit is disposed parallel to the other unit which is mounted in xed position, forcing and sliding the adjacent unit to its ultimate position in alignment with the lixed unit, locks the ilange in the channel.

References Cited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

